Four winter wonderlands for cold-weather getaways

◆ JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka

Beat any holiday stress with the new HydroSpa opening at Muskoka’s JW Marriott on Nov. 1. The outdoor water entertainment will be open year-round, offering multiple ways to relax including sea-salt floating pools and hot bathtubs.

Stays from $349 / night

◆ Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel

This historic inn in Niagara Falls offers multiple ways to relax. There’s Winterfest, meals enjoyed in dining domes(穹顶)housed in the inn’s private square, and the Alpine Club offering roasted nuts and wine around a fire pit. The property will host its annual holiday market on Nov. 26.

Stays from $249 / night

◆ Dromoland Castle

If you’re going to go big—and further away—for New Year’s, you may as well go black tie. This grand estate in western Ireland is offering a three - night celebration package, beginning either Dec. 30 or 31. The event on New Year’s Eve includes a cocktail reception and six-course dinner. Guests will have access to various activities on the property’s 450 acres including hunting and farming.

Stays from $2,051 / night

◆ St. Regis Aspen

Along with access to many ski options, the hotel’s guests can expect family-friendly fun during the week leading up to Dec. 25. The workshop here is a craft room where attendees can make everything from toys to gifts by hand. Additional sessions cover winter cooking and house decorating.

Stays from US $899 / night

At the foot of Egypt’s Sinai mountains, once a small fishing town, Dahab is now one of the Red Sea’s top diving resorts(潜水圣地), attracting a lot of nature lovers. It also provides a stress-free seaside atmosphere where visitors can just sit back and enjoy its waters. There are affordable accommodations, tour operators, multicultural restaurants and cafes.

Dahab is also one of the few places in the area with internet access, making it attractive to remote workers looking for a peaceful “office” by the sea. Rahma Zein, who chose to go toDahab on the advice of friends, said, “On a normal day, I wake up, make breakfast, go for a free dive, hang out on the beach, take a hike, eat and then sleep.” she added, “In between sessions, I make phone calls and do my work.”

Located on the edge of the Red Sea, the Blue Hole is one of Dahab’s most famous sites and one of the world’s most famous diving sites. Going down to a maximum depth of 328 feet and easily accessible from the shore, the Blue Hole is not influenced by the currents, so its waters are relatively calm. The conditions here are perfect for free divers, as well as advanced divers looking to push their limits in a race.

To reduce the traffic here, a local group of divers have created an underwater museum filled with giant statues(雕像) made of recycled materials. The most impressive statue is a life-sized elephant weighing 700 kilograms which has gained the attention of countless tourists.

There are also limitless options in shallower waters for those who want to avoid crowded diving spots. Travelers can hike or ride camels to Ras Abu Galum National Protectorate, which covers 400 square kilometers of coastline and offers a better view of sea life.

How to Travel to Machu Picchu

Mysterious. Brilliant. Powerful. These words describe the Inca (印加). Every year, visitors rush to the Incan citadel (堡垒) of Machu Picchu (meaning “the ancient peak”) in search of the lost civilization. But getting to this UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t cheap and easy. Here’s how to expertly navigate your way to Peru’s most famous destination.

Hiking to Machu Picchu

* The most famous way to hike to Machu Picchu is along a section of one of the Incan roads built as the empire expanded. Dozens of tour operators offer Inca Trail hikes with varying durations and levels of comfort (though all require camping).

*For those who would like a less crowded experience, there are a number of diverse hiking alternatives, one of which is around Salkantay Mountain, one of the most imposing peaks in the Peruvian Andes, Several tour companies offer the treks, but Apus Peru offers an express Salkantay trek, which shaves a day off the normal journey for those eager to push their physical limits on their way to Machu Picchu.

*Travelers interested in archaeology should consider the Choquequirao Trek with a Machu Picchu extension. This itinerary includes spectacular hiking in the less-traveled steep Apurimac Canyon and exploration of the Choquequirao archaeological site before heading for Machu Picchu. Note that the trail is closed in December every year for regular maintenance.

Tips for Visiting

*Getting Acclimated (适应水土): Where you’re coming from is probably much lower than Machu Picchu. We highly recommend you go to Aguas Calientes first, and spend a night getting used to it before exploring Machu Picchu. Meanwhile, avoid alcohol and physical exercise to help your body slowly adjust to the thinner air.

*Entrance tickets: If you’re traveling independently, you can buy individual entrance tickets, though you should note that you’ll be required to hire a local guide before entering the site. If you book a tour package through an operator, entrance tickets should be included. All entry tickets are timed, allowing entrance on the hour, and you’re allowed to stay at the site for up to four hours.

*Bring: Water and a rain jacket, even if it looks like a beautiful sunny day. And speaking of sun, remember that the ozone layer (臭氧层) over Peru is compromised. That, combined with the elevation (海拔), makes the sun extremely strong, so wear a hat and use high SPF sunscreen.

*Don’t bring: Drones, walking sticks, trekking poles or umbrellas since they’re all prohibited at Machu Picchu. Travelers who require sticks for mobility can bring them in but only with protective rubber tips over the ends.